The New New New New York

If you’re a constant reader of my blogs, you might be under the impression that I’ve turned my back on New York hip hop. Maybe because I called Jeezy the King of New York or probably because I write things like “New York Isn’t Enough”. But it’s more like tough love on my second (Trini Massive!) hometown. I’ve helped artists like Saigon and Tru-Life get deals, as well as supported every artist who’s come up since 2002.

Now the underground scene has changed a little bit in the tri-state area. Mixtapes aren’t as relevant as they once were, so it’s a little harder for new MC’s to get a buzz. The DVD game was popping for a quick second, but the allure of flashing guns at the camera in front of your projects has lost its luster. But through it all, there are still unsigned spitters making noise who you should watch out for in 2006-2007. Shit, I’m an A&R so I should be watching out for them as well. I’m going to release my annual Power 30 CD this fall ranking the top 30 MC’s all around the country that haven’t released an album. So this blog is sort of a preview of who’s going to be on it.

This list right now though isn’t in any particular order. The only criteria is that they have to be unsigned. And without further ado, The New New New New York.

JOELL ORTIZ I first got a Joell Ortiz mixtape at a pool hall in Chelsea Manhattan. His management gave it to me and it said “Who The F*&^ Is Joell Ortiz?”. At the time I couldn’t really care less who he was, but I took it home and went crazy over the lyrics. I called them up the next day. Joellz has a refreshing flow reminiscent of how MC’s used to put it down in the mid-90’s. The same way Redman or Buckshot didn’t have to be a crazy killer to be respected, but more on mic presence and wordplay. There was a rumor that he signed to Aftermath for $750,000, if it’s true more power to him.

I’m huge fans of people who aren’t “over the top” and extra. Serius, like Joell, gives me that same “I’m not frontin this is who I am” vibe that’s gives me hope that there’s a new breed of MC who’s paying attention. Not just the cliche dope-boy-fresh-magic- trapstar-gangsta-I’m not-a-rapper rappers. I like to think of him of the Muhammad Ali of his generation, not dominating wise, but more the swagger and jokes he cracks. Then he can get real serious quickly, just ask Murder Mook or Jin.

UNCLE MURDERIts Murda nigga! Listening to Uncle Murder is like watching Terminator 2: Judgement Day. He is easily the toughest talker on wax ever. Too Hard For Hip Hop is the name of his new tape and the things he says on there would make N.W.A. blush. But for some reason, I can’t stop listening to it. Now that he’s co-signed by DJ Green Lantern, my favorite producer, he’s ready to take it to the next level. The only problem with all the gangsta talk, if one bad thing ever happens to you, all your credibility goes down the drain. Only time will how far he’s gonna go, but one thing’s for sure; It’s going to be an entertaining ride. Say Uncle!

SPOT I’ve done two mixtapes with Spot and so far the feedback has been tremendous. He’s a great talent because he’s not only a lyricist, but he’s also a producer. He’s also a ghostwriter a quite a few notable rappers in the game. Spot represents youthfulness and the outlaw I don’t give a fuck about anything but my money mentality of today’s 80’s babies.

PAPOOSEThe 1.5 Million Dollar man should have a deal any second now. Its not like people aren’t offering him deals (believe me I know), he’s just waiting for the right one. The Flipmode addition makes his situation more interesting. It could swing his project upwards or spiral him to obscurity depending on what Busta does next. Whatever it is, I’m cheering for him. Anyone who grinds like that deserves they’re shot.

How come Shea Davis aint up there? Nobody signed that nigga yet. Uncle Murda from Jamaica Ave ? I thought he was Harlem not BK?

e

Joell Ortiz is ill

the dough

Is anyone else getting tired of Pap’s concept songs?

Ms Prez

He’s not on my label, but what about NY’s mixtape guerrilla, AC?

http://nahright.com eskay

Yo someone up that Joell Ortiz mixtape to rapidshare rapido. I can’t find that shit anywhere and I can find anything. fucking thing is like the damn Holy Grail.

Belize

8 down 23 to go….u gettin lazy yet

Clarence thomas

Out of the Mc’s featured..the only one..i can see doing something is Joel Ortiz..i like dude..Papoose is over rated..he will never appeal to the masses, Uncle Murder?? Murder doesn’t sell..only in Hollywood.Let’s get serious…Serius Jones…yeah right…never heard a hot record from this dude, yet…Hre are are a few names you need to do your homwork on ..Stack Bundles, Storm P, Saigon,T.L!!!

http://deleted The Dza

“deserves THEY’RE shot”

it’s THEIR Sick. Not THEY’RE.

Anyways, I’m rooting for Papoose as well.

http://myspace.com/jaiduhs Jai’duh

Niggas aint looking into hungry niggas with style.. peep the philly scene sickamore, that nigga Reed Dollaz is the truth, and this kid in Atlanta called Newbie

NewYorkG

u better not make the “New New Yorks” rep worse than it already is

Belize

WTF???? Were is cory gunz? that lil nigga can spit.

Boner Jams 03

“Is anyone else getting tired of Pap’s concept songs?”

Yea i must admit to a degree I am..its like he’s tryin to hard to say somethin..he’s turning into the india aire of rap

http://www.HEFNAZ.com Trips NaeBcm

All yall niggas is saying the same thing…. which is something that has been going on in hip hop since the late 90′s. Lyrics have stopped mattering….Nigga you can spit flames till they call the fire Marshall but if you dont got a catchy hook and a gay ass dance to go along with ya song…..you not gon break gold.

Respect to all those emceez mentioned….they definitely doin they thing….but i feel i should be on that top 30 cd…..holla atcha boy….1!!

http://www.allhiphop.com Rey

8/31, Sick!

Long live NY Hip-Hop!

We all know that rap’s salvation will be coming from the Big Apple, and after the “Chain Hang Low” song (fucking terrible, but thank God we’ve found the apex of awful southern rap), I’m rooting for anyone from the 5 boroughs or “strong” island (the worst nickname for any place anywhere ever).

UNO!

http://www.trendsettazinc.com DJ Main Event

Papoose records aint gonna appeal to everybody, this we know.

Spot got it. THIS we know.

Joel Ortiz, ive been hearing good things about but havent peeped his music.

Serius Jones only claim to fame is the one battle he got over Jin.

my verdict is still out on uncle murder but judging by initial impression (fuckit, his name alone) he’s not gonna contribute a whole lot of anything to the game. The Green Lantern co-sign is a plus though.

http://www.myspace.com/plussign2 whoa!

that’s it??

I thought there’d be more? I thought Serius was a Jerz dude…guess I was wrong..

http://myspace.com/jaiduhs Jai’duh

Comments approved only?

Jah Fields

New York niggaz ain’t the only niggaz that can rap!!! I’m tired of hearing these over-rated niggaz… Serious Jones(Good), Uncle Murder(average),Ortiz(Never herd of Him), and the other nigga (Never herd of Him)… Real Talk!!! Luck Barnes is ringing in Jersey!!!

KingofKings

Where is my dude Mickey Factz…I came cross his page on myspace a while back, and he keeps droppin consistent heat…u can check him out at myspace.com/itzmickey

http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/HELLZBANG HELLZ YEA!

I GOT 3 NAMES FOR YOU
HELLZ YEA!, ATOM BOMB, AND DYSE GALLETTI OF aRe.Be.Cee.
“It’s More Than A Movement!”

we will be part of the next generation of New York Emcees!

Nicky Johnson

The hottest out ain’t even getting played because he not from NY!!!

LUCKY BARNES!!!

the dough

Yeah Uncle Murder needs to switch up the moniker. “MC Murderer and DJ Kill-A-Lot”…I’m probably the only person that bought that Keith Murray album.

http://www.myspace.com/therapistmusic Therapist

isn’t serius from jersey

http://www.myspace.com/therapistmusic Therapist

as a south nigga, raised on a lot of new york hip hop, and molded my style listening to many of my new york favorites, this list honestly makes me sad…

not that anyone is particularly THAT bad… its just that none of them have IT

sigh

oh well, south up

http://www.sickamore.com Sickamore

# Therapist Says:
August 8th, 2006 at 3:01 pm

isn’t serius from jersey

Oops…close enough

Screw Musik King

I might look out for these dudes.

Miami Monica

SPOT is gonna be the FUTURE!!!! I swear i love that dude!!!! ;-)

Mr.Me

Sickamore

Nig you’ll answer that but you wont say why Punch aint on there? That nigga got crossover appeal and a street buzz goin an you sleepin on him. He can spit better than all them niggas on ya lil list.

that dude

come on sick. u must be sick with that list. joell ortiz? Spot? Have you heard about soe nigga outta Queenz named 360?!! that niga can spit. 1

Profit

Only New Jerz can save hip hop, New York niggas can’t get along with each other anyway.

LOS

Well shit. Might as well talk about the NEW southern niggas that aint on yet and live too if you get short in that 30 in 30, or 31 in 31. Whatever the shit its. LIke Killer Mike, Scrappy, PT, Yola, Boosie, etc. The New New New Nu South. Ya Know

http://www.myspace.com/writeonpointmagazine janice

Papoose… the jury’s still out on that one… I don’t see it… he has no charisma

gees dat dude

Fuck new york why the fuck do new york gotta come back its niggas spittin all over. Papoose sucks, serious jones got murdered by mook,and rest of dem niggas fuck em. All you new york mafuckas that be hatin on the south at least them cats can write songs and the bitches love shakin they asses to that shit. you aint never go hear a papoose song in club out side ny if you hear the shit there neverrrrr. Any way what the fuck happened to fabolous,juelz,joe budden dem is young niggas that had better albums than any of them other niggas will ever have. and what the fuck kin of names is uncle murder and papoose?

h town soulja

Sick, why’d you put “ask Murder Mook”??

Mook killed that nigga in battle.

http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/PRINCEUNSEEN UNSEEN

DAMN!! SICKAMORE. YOU FORGOT ABOUT UNSEEN . IM PART OF THE NEXT GENERATION 2. I GOT N.Y AND NJ WITH NO MAJORS OR MEDIA HELP ( DAMN IM A HUSTER. TRUE ESSENCE RECORDS SINCE 97) PRODUCER, RAPPER, DIRECTOR, MARKETING, RADIO SHOW, THE BLACK SOPRANOS ( KAYSLAY MIXTAPES FOR 2 YEARS + 3 DVDS) I PUT IN ALOT OFF WORK IN THE EAST . FEATURES AS A PRODUCER LET SEE…. HALF-A-MIL, BUN B , COREY GUNZ, FLIPMODE,SMITH N WESSIN , JIM JONES, MAX B,TOM GIST, JOELL ORTIZ, MA BARKER, J-HOOD,NUCCI REYO , SAM SCAFRO. I WAS BUSY WITH THE MPC AND ASR-X O I FORGOT WRITE UPS… SOURCE MAGAZINE, ALLHIPHOP.COM , F.E.D.S. MAGAZINE . STILL MORE TO COME . IM PART OF THAT NEXT 2

solid picks…The kid Ortiz is the closest thing to a star. Seen him on stage at Sob’s twice . both shows were Crazy Papoose is sick though I think he needs more personality.
Spot mixtape is fire. Need to hear more songs from Jones.

the dough

Fuck Mookie, you watch his battles on YouTube and you will see that he recycles shit. Iron Solomon would eat either of those cats in a battle.

http://www.sickamore.com Sickamore

Mr.Me Says:

August 8th, 2006 at 3:12 pm

Nig you’ll answer that but you wont say why Punch aint on there? That nigga got crossover appeal and a street buzz goin an you sleepin on him. He can spit better than all them niggas on ya lil list.

He needs to get a bigger buzz. He had it going for a minute on the SMACK’s but then he just chilled out. I told him that the last time I saw him. He needs to go harder because people like him a lot. I feel Uncle Murder might be in his lane tho.

sickamore what good unseen cant make a list . i put in mad work in the east on every level. i hired yall for marketing when i was poppin but you know how that went . its like the unseen gets black balled or something . lmao . i should make that list off of g.p. can i get a reply to that .

Offcial-ficial

I thought Serius Jones was from New Jers? Not New York. Same thing happened with Ran and Hitch. Whenever someone nice from New Jers comes out, he’s gotta be from NY all of a sudden. Let New Jers shine.

Curt Dog

Every rapper on that list has a shot, Spot especially because he so young. Pap will do better than Lupe, and Joell is a fitting replacement for Pitbull lol. Murder has to go beyond bang bang, and I still have to hear a good Serius Jones song.

Hopefully one of these guys will blow

http://www.loudminoritymusic.com Che Grand

I need to be on that list.

Offcial-ficial

Curt Dog, for a “good Serious Jones song,” peep the Fight Klub Anthem. It has Avelanch, 40 Cal. (Dipset), and Serius on it.

I’m not condoning or supporting filesharing and bootlegging music, but you know what it is.

http://www.loudminoritymusic.com Che Grand

then again im not from new york i just live here

http://www.trendsettazinc.com DJ Main Event

i second that vote for Mickey Factz, he’s another one that’s got it PERIOD, forget the ‘bring NY back movement’

armchaira&R

glad to see you reading these things sikamore.
Stack Bundles is a beast! the guy has serious star potential. I think the dipset thing he gotten into recently is a bad move but he is the truth nonetheless.

New Yorkers have forgotton the true essence of hip hop, and that is competition, stickin with ya people so that you as a whole can be better than them. In 93 “them” meant the west coast. In 2006, them is the south. As dominent as the south appears to be its only because we as New Yorkers support these wack niggas and try to copy they style. That’s why the south would never beed with the East. What NY hip hop needs is the west to come back, they have been and the way it looks will always be our nemesis. And they need NY to come back also, cause they don’t consider the south direct competition. Hip Hop has become the soundtrack to high school life. We don’t NEED to bring it back to the streets, it neva shoulda left, and FYI its more goin on in the hood and drugs and violence, this country is getting safer and safer, but rappers claim the hood is getting more violent which is funny. Back in 88 when you said you was from the hood and survived, that’s sayin sumthin. These days, big deal. Niggas need to jus make real music, we need Commons, we need 50s, we need Kanyes, we need Kweli, we need Wu Tangs, we need Fabolus’s, we need Nellys, we need BALANCE in this art, because Hip Hop will probably NEVER be ours again, and I don’t mean NY I mean ghetto people of color.

http://www.dmcworld.com/technics2004/video/2004dj1-100k.wvx KEN….

THE THING ABOUT SERIOUS IS…THE SECOND SOME YOUNG JIT KNOCKS HIM OUT IN A BATTLE HE’S HISTORY & THAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH THESE PUNCHLINE BATTLE-ASS NIGGAZ…

http://WWW.WeGotThisNow.Com WGTN Boss

That List Look Suspect…How You Dont Got My Dude J-Cutta Upthere…That Boy Is Flames…Check Him Out…The Redue That List…WeGotThisNow.Com Or Soundclick.Com/JCutta…We Got This Now…Holla Back

big family

If you lift the unsigned rule, you gotta go with Corey Gunz & Tru-Life. those are the only dudes who don’t lay on a track like a 40 yr old hooker.

http://www.myspace.com/princeunseen unseen

lmao…. see how they do… wow!!!. You got to see the comic side of things. please everyone do you numbers get full real quick trust me

Unseen album is out now!!!!!!!!
07,08,09-15 is mines
True Essence Records

Interesting breakdown man and to be honest being on the west coast I was not aware of Joel Ortiz so it’s always good to get that kind of inishgt and now I will check for some of his stuff. The other names I had heard and I am pretty familiar with the homie Spot and I think he is a key player not just in new york but overall in the game.
I feel where your coming from with this kind of list and being critical of your home turf. I am looking forward to that top 30 list and to be honest I feel that their are so many young artists coming from the west coast and their is such a big transformation in the game now that I have a list of about 15 guys to watch who are still unsigned but it’s just a matter of time and just like the guys you mentioned they all bring something unique to the table, also I think it’s a safe bet that you know two of the names that will be on that list lol

Walt

LMAO at New York rap… Somebody save that shit quick!

http://rockthedub.blogspot.com khal

serius jones got serius swagger.

Fernando

Wow!! Looks like NY hip-hop is definitely on the RISE!!(end sarcasm) I might have to stop listening to rap altogether. Mac Dre is dead, Outkast is putting out garbage, Jigga quit(sort-of), NY fell off, DFB releases “ridin rims”, BET Uncut is cancelled, and Diddys girl group has a new video…..STOP THE MADNESS!!! Where is the good music?????

Belize

Serious jones is the next skillz

Belize

^and i didnt mean that in a good way

MC Whu?

I see alot of people haven’t heard of Joel Ortiz, now I’m not a big fan of his. I only heard of him when he was on stage at the Hot 07 Summer Jam Pre-Show, but I’ll give him his credit. He was spitting. And you know its hard to capture the attention of a crowd that doesnt know shit about you, but he did it.

I’m the type of person that pays attention to lyrics, and from the shit that he said on stage that day, he’ s lyrically gifted.

Serious… We’ll see.

Spot… Never Heard of him.

Papoose… I know that the masses wont take to his brand of lyricism, but hate all you want, or be weary of his concept raps, that dude is nice. He’s one of the only emcees that has come along in a while that makes me say, “Yo did you hear what he just said?”

“I’m gonna stay on the Run (Rev. Run) like a pair of shell toes and a bible” Papoose

Thats creative, original, and just plain Nice!!!

BROOKLYN ALL DAY

MC Whu?

correction: Hot 97 Summer jam

ChefB1

Who and what songs has “SPOT” written?

Anyone know?

that dude

SHEA DAVIS has to be the ass’s rapper in the history of muisc

TyroneBiggums

What about 40 Cal???? That nigga is a monster. I know yall seen him on fight klub eating niggas up.

And he got the Dipset movement behind him.

PAYCHEXX

WIZ KHALIFA, HOLYSMOKES(MYSPACE.COM/HOLYSMOKES)

Belize

yall homo forgot to read: THIS IS FOR UNSIGNED RAPPERS…homo thugs..yall all need luv

Young A. Simmons

Papoose over-rated, Spot is tight though, hungry and an all round talent. He is the only one with any shot at longevity.

All in all further proof that the south runs hip hop.

THE TRUTH NIGGA

he’s not from NY…but in NY half the week…TERMANOLOGY!!!!!!!!! smacking the streets & net right now..the king of murda mass!

myspace.com/therealtermanology

Live 4rm the Chi now Im in NY

Sickamore I agree with your list but, I know you have to know about St. Laz and Pottersfield, Stack bundles, Loaded Lux (even tho I cant stand the horrible fake ass accent he fuckin annoys me with sometimes). Cory Gunz probably aint up there cause he’s signed. That nigga is a beast joe.

Live 4rm the Chi now Im in NY

I think NY can save hip hop along with Chi City…But it aint about that cuz in due time people will have to get tired of mediocre, bullshit…and be hungry for the real.

Down South Garbage?? Scarface, Devin, Old Kast, 8-Ball & Mjg, UGK, Trae, Lil Boosie, Weezy, Etc. The South puts out a lot of crap, but they also have at least a dozen acts that are better than anything NY has put out in a decade. Yay area Too. Mac Dre, THIZZ OR DIE YOU BEEZY!! YADIDA_YADIDA MEEEEN

allnice

I see what you tried to do Sick and I give you props for it. Lately you been posting some good shit. But son, none of these niggaz are nice except maybe Papoose, and he might wanna either sign a deal or head on over to Koch.

There isn’t aaaaanyone nice on the horizon in the North, South, East, West, international, whateva. That is because niggaz are so lame with the same recycled flow, topics, gear, everything. The last niggaz I really felt like that were MF Doom and J Live, but they been falling off lately too, just getting old. The rap game passes alot of dudes by, even your boy Jigga.

If cats like Kweli, Mos Def, OC, Buckshot, Pharoah Monch and the gotta struggle just to get heard, then there is no way that these cats you mentioned are gonna make any impact. If the veterans with fan bases can’t pop, then like Nas said, Hip Hop is Dead dunny. You might wanna look at some other positions besides being an A&R cause shit is looking bleaaak like Memphis…….

yao, i heard the nigga mickey factz, hes a fuckin problem… he the only nigga i heard killin this song shit right now. niggas say they bringing new york back, but how u bringing new york back with freestyles.

yo listen mang! pap is nasty but he doesn’t really have charisma..niggas like jada ,50,cam,and even fat joe can bring it back niggas just gotta stop lampin thinkin that their bosses this aint the mutha fuckin costra nostra..they reppin a whole coast man..they could push saigon better maino is raw I like him I think he has better chance apelling to the masses….congrats to j ortiz man rep brooklyn my dude bushwick the burg LET It OFF ONE TIME!!

Y’all niggas need to learn how to play the guitar or some shit now. Mf’s gettin tired of hearin niggas talk fuckin shit forever.

11kap

BLOCK KOW!!

>>>>>>>>>>>ROC

ayo…..serius jones is frum jersey u dumb fuk

http://www.theonlineticketshop.com leo

I am Mr leo harrison The Managing Director Of Texaco Group Of Companies.I Want To Loan Out My Part Of My Money To Business Person, Private Individuals As Well As Co-Operate Bodies. For More Information And Inquiry Contact Us Via Our Mailing Address.
Email: leo_incloan@yahoo.co.uk

And we are suppose to hail these cats as greats for the next generation (whatever) because? You know, I’m tired of all these elitest and “experts” telling me who I should like. I’m sick of them forcing these overhyped internet MCs down my throat. Can I decide myself, if I like them or not. Don’t tell me I should like them.

I don’t mind checking them out or supporting them if or when that time comes. But, don’t force that on the listeners. I’m tired of the “experts” telling me what’s real or fake, tired of being told what’s real Hip Hop. Maybe these cats aren’t my cup of tea as artist. Maybe they don’t appeal to me. But let me decide that.

Next Best

Theres one cat doing it big out the BX by the name of ROVER who flying somewhat under the rader but is making moves.He can spit,has personality and makes real songs.U be the judge!